THE BRIDE OF CHRIST RAPTURED BEFORE THE TRIBULATION.

 

By Pastor Mike Taylor

8” But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” (1^st Corinthians 5:8-10)

9 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1^st Thessalonians 1:9-10)

The above passages has been used many, many times to support the doctrine of a HARPAZO, or the redemption of the Church when Jesus comes for His own before the Tribulation starts. It is popularly called the RAPTURE. This doctrine has been in existence since the 1^st century, but was forgotten because of the rising of a Gnostic church in the Middle Ages, that hid those facts from the people, due to its lust for power on earth. It was not again revealed and re-discovered until the 18^th century, and was designed by God for the End of Age, the age we live in right now.

SOME MOCK THAT THE RAPTURE IS AN ESCAPE HATCH

Some take issue with that concept, saying “are we any better than the apostles, or the untold amount of men down through the ages that suffered persecution?” They are referring to the coming Tribulation and why are we exempt from this time? Their mocking of the rapture as being an escape hatch from persecution, but fail to understand that the removal of the church is not an escape but a fulfillment of the promises of God and we have VICTORY IN JESUS over this sinful world.

The answer to that question they propose of course is no, we are not better than than those who have suffered persecution from mortal men, but in these last days of the government of men over their own affairs, God has promised us something they did not have. We are separated from the coming wrath of God by time and space. That is the difference between them and us. Down through the ages, there have always been men who would bring harm and even death to other men over religious beliefs. Men have always persecuted other men, and that doesn't mean we won't see some form of persecution before Jesus comes, but we keep our faith that Jesus will protect His own, based on the clear meanings of Psalms 91, which I proclaim to all who are His own.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”(Psalm 91:3-10)

TIME WHEN MEN PERSECUTED THOSE WHO WOULD NOT BOW

I am reminded of the Dark Ages, when a ruling theocracy slaughtered untold amount of people for the quest and lust for power over other men, and destroyed all who would not bend the knee to its rule. But down through the ages, you cannot find, or point to in the Bible an instance where those who follow after our God, our Lord and Savior, have experienced the wrath of the Almighty falling on their heads. Many Biblical stories chronicle how God has a Divine habit of removing His chosen people out of the way, when His wrath against rebellious mankind falls on them.

Speaking of the Dark Ages, this same church came up with a blasphemous doctrine that all who die must pass through a “temporary” state of punishment in fire to rid them of unforgiven sins. They called it venial sins. If Jesus did not die for the whole earth, and those who believe in Him are not cleansed TOTALLY from past, present and future sins, then to pass through the wrath of God during the Tribulation is akin to this hideous doctrine of purgatory, that the blood of Jesus just wasn't quite able to save a man totally from His sins. Which any truly washed in the blood of Calvary Christian knows is not true. But let's return to the stories of the Bible that speaks of this removal from God's wrath.

SHORT EXAMPLES OF REMOVAL FROM GOD'S WRATH

Some of the more obvious aspects of that fact are the children of Israel during the Egyptian enslavement and the plague after plague brought about to the rebellious Pharoah who defied God and His commands and wouldn't let God's people go. These plagues were isolated to Egypt and never came close to the land of Goshen, where the Hebrew slaves were living.

Then there is Noah and Lot, who both were removed from the wrath of God, one by an ark, the other fleeing to the mountains before the angels of God were sent to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Springing off these well know Biblical stories, I find no account where God has subjected His people to His own righteous wrath. Can you? Some will say that they went through, not out of the wrath of God, but are they missing something? I think they are. These stories are local examples of God's wrath, such as in Egypt or Sodom, but speaking of Noah and the flood, this was an example of the remnant of Jewish people being saved from wrath of God that covers the whole earth. Before this, Enoch was an example of the rapture of the church that he was removed before the flood even came. Such was the symbol of the coming of destruction coming upon the earth, and God's Church being removed and protecting God's elect, most likely in the Jordanian fortress of Petra.

But let us explore briefly what the Bible says we can expect as this Age of Grace draws to a close. There are many verses scattered about that supports that when God's wrath falls upon this planet, the Church of the Living God will not be present.

EXPLAINING THE CONCEPT TO A FRIEND

I was having a conversation with an online friend, who was an admitted post-tribulation believer, and as we conversed back and forth, I brought up a well know verse found in your Bible:

10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)

Here our Risen Lord speaks to the apostle John and tells him, that because those who have kept His Word and followed His commands, our Lord promises us that we will be kept from this hour of temptation. Our God and Savior gave us commands to follow, and a way back to God our Father and He is the only Way.

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

(John 14:6)

In speaking with my online friend, who is a student of the Hebrew and Greek translations concerning Bible text, I pointed out to him that the original Greek shows that this passage speaks of the Church being taken out of, not through the tribulation.

Many people debate this verse and make assumptions that like Lot and Noah, or even the Hebrew slaves in Egypt, that they were brought through the wrath of God. But even my friend didn't realize that there is one word in the Greek that is in this passage and changes the whole meaning of the passage, and he had read it many times, and passed right over it. The passage that tells us “I also will keep thee from the hour of Temptation”, that the words “I will keep thee from” in the original Greek centers on the Greek word (εκ [ek] ) that here denotes out of  not through the wrath of God. My friend was flabberghasted, that the original Greek spoke that the Church is taken “out of” the coming wrath of God that falls on the whole world. I believe I changed his mind, as he confessed it as so.

We continued our discussion as I told him that even in the Old Testament that there is proof of the Church being removed from this earth and put into “our chambers” Needless to say, as we talked, the friend got real quiet.

19 “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:19-21)

Notice that it speaks of the dead rising and being taken to chambers that they are to shut the doors behind them, because the wrath of God, or indignation is going to punish the inhabitants of the earth. It speaks of what I believe was revealed to the Apostle Paul, when being taught by revelation by our Lord Jesus while living in the Arabian desert for three years, before he even came to the disciple of Jesus in Jerusalem. Paul prophecies it even further than Isaiah in his prophecy.

51 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1^st Corinthians 15:51-55)

Paul reaffirms this prophecy when speaking to the Thessalonians and adds more visual information about our change that we will experience:

13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1^st Thessalonians 4:14-18)

In your mind, if you visualize what Isaiah wrote and what Paul repeated twice in his epistles, you can see that those who are in the dust of the earth, asleep in their graves (that being their mortal bodies, as the spirit is not there), they are suddenly changed, reunited with their physical bodies and changed into immortal Spirits into what Jesus is right now, a Glorified Man of flesh and bones. This is the same type of body that Jesus revealed to His apostles in their closed room and sat and ate fish and honeycomb in their presence to prove to them He was not a ghost or phantom. Jesus was an entirely flesh and bone being, that they could handle and feel, and ate before them, BUT could vanish from their site, and walk through walls. Notice that Jesus was flesh and bone, no blood, as His life force was the Spirit of Almighty God.

These immortal Spirits that we will be are commanded to enter their chambers and shut the doors behind them, till God's wrath is spent and the blood will be disclosed on the earth and will not be hidden.

But what bodies are we talking about here when we speak of being changed in the twinkling of an eye?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1^st John 3:1-3)



Till that day overtakes us and we are transported so much like the Star Trek episodes used to do, and many who read this can identify with a very objective visual about “beam me up, Scotty” and being transported from one place to another, we look for our Blessed Hope.

11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works”. (Titus 2:11-14)

MORE QUESTIONS...

Ok. My friend asked, so where are these chambers that this passage speaks of? Isaiah has a sister verse, I believe, that adjoins what even Paul wrote and it was spoke of by our Lord Jesus when comforting His disciples.

 1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” (John 14:1-4)

This Jesus spoke to draw off their minds from an earthly kingdom to an heavenly one; to point out the place to them whither he was going, and to support them with the views and hopes of glory under all their troubles. By his "Father's house" is meant heaven;

10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:1 )

We are taken to His Father's house and receive rewards based on our service for God. This is His Father's Glorious heavenly home, where he has, and will have all his family. Note that Jesus is coming to bring us to Himself, and to “receive you unto myself, that where I AM, there you may be also”. Jesus is in heaven's realm at the right hand of the Father on His Throne. Jesus will bring us to His Father's house, not come to us, but we come to Him. Another clue to the HARPAZO, the rapture of the church coming sooner than anything even imagines.

The visualization of these verses brings home to those who look for our Blessed Hope, that there is a glorious future where we will be Kings and Priest to our God and we shall reign upon the earth. John sees a symbolic representation of this truth that the Church is in God's presence, that John sees in a vision of the future.

4 "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.”( Revelation 4:4)

Note that the description of these elders? Many have tried to hypothesize who they are. Some say angels, some say they are not human, and others have no idea, so they just pass over without discernment. Angels have never been given crowns, and these saints are entirely human. They are seated, so their work is over and they are at rest. They are on thrones, so they are rulers along with God. They are clothed with white raiment, which is a symbol and sign of the saints of God. They are crowned with gold crowns, so they have been exalted to a high position in the government of God.

This vision shows John that the Church here is symbolized by 24 elders, which is a multiplication of the number 12, which in the Bible, is a sign of government. Half from the Old Testament saints, and half from the New Testament Saints, is my belief...all comprising the Church, each look either forward or back at the sacrifice that Jesus made on the Roman cross of His crucifixion for the sins of the world by faith of both groups. The first group of saints were taken to someplace in the heavens, as Jesus emptied Paradise of Old Testament saints when He was resurrected.

7” “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” (Ephesians 4:7-10)

Here is a vision of the combining of the two sets of saints..the Old and the New Testament .The Church will be rule with Christ for a thousand years as the Bible attest to.

8  “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (this would be tribulations saints, my emphasis)

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:8-10)

Our destiny is to be Kings and rule with our Lord Jesus on earth and to point those who are born during that Millennial Reign of Christ to the sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross over 2000 years ago, as priest to the Living God who is ruling from Jerusalem. Note that you will not find the word “Church” mentioned again through the whole of Revelation past chapter 3 of this book. We are not mentioned again until we are spoken of in chapter 19 of this apocalyptic book of the start of the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ. It is another clue that the Church is not on earth for the whole of the 7 years of the reign of the Anti-Christ.

6 “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:77-9)

Notice that the bride is clothed with fine linen, clean and white, for fine linen is a symbol for the righteousness of the saints, which is the Bride of Christ...Immediately, John gives the vision of Jesus returning with His armies from heaven.

11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, CLOTHED IN LINEN, WHITE AND CLEAN. (totally my emphasis to draw your attention)

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

Of these two passages found in Revelation chp. 19, I want you to focus on one thing. I know who both are, but I want you to see it...note what the Bride is clothed with? She is clothed with linen, white and clean. Then in the next passage quoted we see the armies of heaven coming to witness the final defeat of all rebellion on earth by our Great God and King, Jesus the Christ. Note what those who come with Jesus are wearing? Exactly, they are wearing linen, white and clean, which in both instances are a sign of the saints. The Church has been taken to the marriage supper of the Lamb as written in previous verses, where we receive rewards for service and are joined to our Lord Jesus, and become part of the Family of God our Father, by the marriage covenant and we come back with Him, riding on white horse dressed in the same apparel.

16 “'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” (Romans 8:16-19)

From the Old Testament into the New Testament, God has revealed that “we are not appointed to wrath” from God, “but to receive salvation”...being saved out of the coming Tribulation that refines Israel as silver is refined in the furnace, and to extinguish all rebellion and lawlessness on this earth where if the time were not shortened, “no flesh would be saved, but for the elect, those times will be shortened”...That is how near total this earth is purged of all sin and only those who have survived the near complete destruction of planet earth, and have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior of their souls, will enter into the Millennium as mortals.

THE INTERNET IS ABUZZ WITH PROPHECY

Many people all over the internet are sensing that the time of the return of Jesus Christ is close at hand. Some take liberty and make predictions of what date that glorious event will be, but we cannot know, BUT, we know the season, and from the words of the Bible, we are bumping right up to the time of the return of our Lord Jesus..why? Because Jesus told us in no uncertain terms that when Israel is made a nation again, then that generation will not pass till all thing be fulfilled..and the amazing part, the generation of those who saw Israel born again in her own land, is 73 years old this next year in May of 1948-2021. That my friend, is the number of a generation, and as Psalms 90 tells us:

“ The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (Psalms 90:10)

Yes, my friend, the time of our departure grows close at hand. I have complete trust in the Words of my Omnipotent God, who knows the end from the beginning..the Alpha and the Omega, Jesus Christ.

Question? Will you be among those who witness His glorious return for His Bride, at the removal of God's Church someday soon...maybe sooner than anyone thinks? Or will you be in total astonishment, or sincere remorse that you missed this greatest event that ever transpired on humanity, second only to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? Don't let this time get away from you.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2^nd Corinthians 6:1-2)

Today, if you hear God's voice through His Holy Spirit, do not harden your heart, as God is calling a remnant that will believe in their heart and mind, that Jesus is who He said He was, and did what He did so long ago...

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

If you believe those words that I have just quoted, in your heart and your mind...then ask Jesus to come into your heart and life right now..Repent of your sins, and make that commitment to walk with Jesus, to read His instruction manual for the rest of your lives, your Bible, and to confess the Lord to others the hope of your salvation.

8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10)

Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Believe by faith that Jesus loves you, and died for you and the sins of the whole world. Don't be subject to the coming wrath of God, as it will be the most horrific time in all of mankind's history. Make that decision for Christ, today.

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying for your salvation. If you need prayer, counseling, or just a friendly ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, , God bless you all

TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET.

THE BEAST OF REVELATION??

 

by Pastor Mike Taylor

1”And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.”(Revelation 13:1-2)

In my last message, I explored what could be the destruction of America. Now I take another approach that during the Tribulation, or preceding the time of Jacob's trouble, that Socialism will overtake this nation, and the freedoms we have enjoyed our whole lives are suddenly stripped away and America becomes a police state to the likes of Communist Russia. I now explore the possible revealing of the Beast power and the Anti-Christ. Hence this is exploration and based on conjecture of how the Bible is interpreted and what it means...I may be right and I may be wrong, but we are to stay watchful at all times and not get carried away with the problems or pleasures of this life...but await the next, eternal life.

RISE OF THE BEAST POWER

For centuries what comprises the True Church of the Living God, mankind has wondered who and what would be the beast found in Revelation chapter 13. Many have hypothesized the identity of the dreadful beast that rises out of the sea. I have myself, explored possible scenarios and possible candidates apart from the popular views of evangelical Christianity, as it is shrouded in mystery, but as we draw closer to the time of the end of days of man's rule upon this earth, the details draw more and more clear.

In the past, I have made references to three possible candidates, that being the pope in Rome, the 12th Imam of Islam, and the President of the USA, as we just finally got rid of the apostate Obama and replaced him with someone that is attempting to remove the attempt to overthrow this country and has brought us out of the debauchery that the USA was drowning in.

But let us take a journey in exploring this chapter and make some statements that may come to pass, or may not, as only God knows the end result. We just stay focused on God's Word and keep our hearts and minds in tune with His Holy Spirit.

In the first verses, noted above we see a beast rise out of the sea. This beast is similar to the dragon that was mentioned in Revelation chapter 12. They both have “seven heads and ten horns” as noted again in Revelation chapter 17. The bible identifies seven consecutive world powers, or earthly governments that Satan used to persecute God's Church, His faithful church not necessarily the ruling church of the Middle Ages. The dragon is Satan working through pagan religions, the occult and spiritualism, while the beast symbolizes Satan working in disguise, using the corrupted Christian church to do his work. In verse 5 we see that the beast continues “forty and two months” . This is the exact number of years if you convert those months into years of 1260 years that Papal Rome had dominion over the whole known world. In verse 7, it makes “war with the saints” persecuting Christ's true followers who struggled to maintain the truth of God's Word. This beast is none other than the Papal Church system that ruled with terror for all those years. It arose as predicted among the populated European nations, symbolized by “the sea” and the “ten horns”. But note that Papal authority has since diminished from the time of her dominance, but she will rise again. Prophecy has an inerrant ability to repeat itself in a duality of events during these last days. Papal Rome ruled with an iron fist from 538 AD-1798 as noted in Verse 2 of this chapter.

WHO IS THE BEAST?

This beast has the characteristics of a leopard, a bear and a lion, the same beast powers mentioned in Daniel chp. 7 being the leopard of Greece, the bear of Medo-Persia and the lion for Babylon. This beast represents the Papacy, the same religious-political power portrayed by the little horn of Daniel 7 that had power over the whole continent of Europe.

The dragon gave the beast “his power, and his seats, and great authority”. Pagan Rome gave all these things to Papal Rome, and a pagan “christian” institution of the time, had the means to persecute and destroy God's faithful people for hundreds of years to over a thousand years.

3 “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 17:3-4)

PAPAL ROME RECEIVES A DEADLY WOUND

In 1798, the French General Berthier under the commands of Napoleon took the Pope prisoner and attempted to completely eliminate the Papacy as an institution. It seems to the world that the Papacy was “wounded to death, as that pope Pius VI was thrown into prison and lost his life” 

Pope Pius defeated

"Pope Pius VI sued for peace, which was granted at Tolentino on February 19, 1797; but on December 28 of that year, in a riot blamed by Papal forces on Italian and French revolutionaries, the popular brigadier-general Mathurin-Léonard Duphot, who had gone to Rome with Joseph Bonaparte as part of the French embassy, was killed and a new pretext was furnished for invasion. General Berthier marched to Rome, entered it unopposed on February 10, 1798, and, proclaiming a Roman Republic, demanded of the Pope the renunciation of his temporal power.

Upon his refusal he was taken prisoner, and on February 20 was escorted from the Vatican to Siena, and thence to the Certosa near Florence. The French declaration of war against Tuscany led to his removal (he was escorted by the Spaniard Pedro Gómez Labrador, Marquis of Labrador) by way of Parma, Piacenza, Turin and Grenoble to the citadel of Valence, the chief town of Drôme where he died six weeks after his arrival, on August 29, 1799, having then reigned longer than any Pope.

Pius VI's body was embalmed, but was not buried until January 30, 1800 after Napoleon saw political advantage to burying the deceased Pope in efforts to bring the Catholic Church back into France." (Wikipedia)

However, the prophecy says that the wound “was healed.” In 1929 the Papacy regained its civil power with the creation of the Vatican State, and the wound began to heal. At some point in the near future the Roman Catholic Church system will completely recover her former glory and will have more power and prominence than ever before. “And the entire world wondered after the beast.” See also vs. 8.

Note that even as I type this message, the Roman Pope Francis wields much political power, that even leaders, prime ministers, and presidents give this man great audience to influence their decisions on what we call the “New World Order” He started it in the United Nations with Sustainable Development and Agenda 2030, which will govern and control every man, woman and child on this planet to do their bidding. It will be total control and even population management that will be genocide of useless people who do not contribute in their mind to the New World Order. That is the focus of the NWO, to depopulate the earth to a “sustainable level” and if millions, or even billions die, then it for the “good of the planet”.

Only recently, has our USA President had the courage to go against this nefarious scheme to the outrage of the NWO proponents. For how long will it last? It seems the world is against putting America first, but our POTUS is trying to change what was nearly destroyed by the last Dictator in Chief, who can't stand that his legacy is in peril. The liberal “lame stream media” and the liberal democrats in Washington DC are in survival mode and may resort to acts of treason and violence to preserve their dream of a One World Government.

5”And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Revelation 13:5-7)

Note that the characteristics of this beast parallel very closely the ones in Daniel 7:20-21, 25 and 8:10-12. Have we ever seen a time in our recent history where a leader of a religious-political institution has been blatant with changing or contradicting the clear Words found in our Bibles? Pope “Francis” has been about political shenanigans and using his office to draw all religions into a One World Religion and changing even the moral and spiritual definitions of being a Christian as has never been done before in our modern era. Clearly his goal is a New World Order with the Roman Catholic Church at its center for power and control. Pope Francis is actively courting all religions of Protestantism, Islam, or any other “-ism” and trying to bring them “Home to the Mother Church”.

8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9If any man have an ear, let him hear.” (Revelation 13:8-9)

In the last days, nearly the whole world, those “whose names are not written in the book of life,” will “worship” this beast. The day is coming soon when the majority of humankind will obey a few supporting the authority of the Papacy above the commands of God, and will thus worship the beast.

15 “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:15-17)

Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s “Book of Life” will stay true to God. This book records the names of all the saved from every generation of Earth’s history. (Revelation 20:12, 15). It will be a daily test of their faith and endurance to stay true to their calling by God's Holy Spirit. It will not be like it was in the Church Age, when those who embraced Jesus as Lord and Savior were given a deposit, a sealing of God's Holy Spirit of their future glorification. No, they must guard it daily and not be deceived, as the delusions that God will send them to cause them to be damned will be strong because of their lust of the flesh and demonic powers will have full sway over most of humanity left after the Church is “snatched” from this earth.

10 “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” (Revelation 13:10)

This verse prophecy was fulfilled when the Pope was taken into captivity and received a deadly wound, as Napolean sought to destroy the Papacy.

How did this happen? If you look at history and note what I just told you that in 1929, the deadly wound that was inflicted by Napolean's army in 1798 began to heal. The Roman Catholic Church has had to change her image from a wolf, to a a lamb that wouldn't hurt anyone. But I submit, she is a wolf in sheep's clothing and when the time is right, she will expose herself and reveal her true nature. Since we don't know the identity of the coming Anti-Christ, it is conjecture to label the pope in Rome with that title, but I do believe he will be the false prophet that will push for the worship of this “false messiah”.

THE POSSIBLE IDENTITY OF THE SECOND BEAST.

11 “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”(Revelation 13:11-15)

Thus begins the part of the chapter that gives me the most distress, as this describes another beast coming up out of the earth. She begins as a lamb, but is transformed into speaking as a dragon. The identity of this beast, could be, and I emphasize, COULD BE, what I described above being the leader of the free world. Many wonder who this false prophet will support and cause all to worship this “imposter”. What superpower on earth and its leader could cause Israel to confirm a peace treaty and the ability to rebuild her temple? Who does she trust NOW?

REASONS TO BELIEVE SHE IS THE USA

First off, the USA came to power about 1798, just as the Papacy is going into captivity and receives her deadly wound. The USA declared her independence in July 4^th, 1776, and by 1790 has ratified her Constitution, with it's Bill of Rights, and was coming up as a “youthful nation” and was quickly drawn into the political arena and today is the lone Superpower on earth. Many are challenging her, and the forces to depose her are all around, but she remains a power to be reckoned with.

Second, The “sea” represents “multitudes and nations.” Revelation 17:15. The beasts that arise from the sea usually do so amid the strife of war. By contrast, this one comes “out of the earth," representing a relatively peaceful emergence in a comparatively unpopulated area. This is exactly the manner in which The United States came to power. We are called a great melting pot, that has nearly every nationality and race represented within her borders. So we abound in “multitudes and nations” that are represented in our states.

Third, this beast that depicts and represents a nation of youth, innocence, and gentleness, which is based on our God given principles of liberty in religious and civil affairs. (“For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”). At its beginnings, the USA had the strength to form a government based on the principles found within the Ten Commandments.

Republicanism and Protestantism were the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. It is strong because the government and the church are separate, without one controlling the other. She has put her faith in Almighty God in the past, but that is eroding with each passing day, as the nation is in upheaval, as she is being stressed from within. We see the continued riots and push for a New World Order in our Congress and those elite who finance the downfall of our Republic to be transformed into their goal of a One World Government. Only she stands in the way of their plans, and she must be brought to her knees in their warped thinking.

Fourth, it is noteworthy to note that this beast does not have any crowns. She has been a servant of the people, and has not ruled over them, but they control her. Hence our democratic principles of voting those to represent your interest. The USA has never had a king to rule over government, or a pope to rule over the religious freedoms of its citizens, which allowed freedom of worship and expression. To this point we have kept religion and the state separate, as we disdained a religious theocracy, as was found in Papal Europe.

Fifth, in order to rule the world, the Papacy had to have sway over a standing army. To influence and order a national army to do it's bidding, on pain of excommunication in the past, so she must have a superpower to enforce her edicts of religious authority even today, as she did in Medieval's Dark days of apostasy. To force anyone to worship the beast or its image, it must be a power that would enforce, on pain of death, the desires of the Papacy.

This beast will speak “as a dragon” and exercise “all the power of the first beast before him.” The “first beast,” as an agent of the dragon, used its “power” in state affairs to enforce religious laws, resulting in the persecution of the “heretics” who would not submit. For America to do this and “give life unto the image of the beast” it would have to abandon the principles of religious freedom, repudiate the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and discard the fundamental beliefs that have made this great nation what it is. When America uses its power to enforce religious laws and persuades other governments to do the same, it creates an “image of the beast” and it gives life, reflecting the intolerance and persecutions of the medieval Papal Church.

Almighty God gave us another chance

Right now, Christians in American prayed for a reprieve from the debauchery from the “idiot in chief” that left office in January of 2017, but how long will that reprieve holdup? The forces of darkness are rearing their heads and doing all in their power to thwart any “draining of the swamp” which is the liberal base in Washington DC. What will be their attempt to hasten the NWO they so desperately want and envision? Only God knows what lengths they will go to, to realize their “utopian” idea of man's rule on earth. They have tried numerous attempts to remove the man, who I believe God placed in office at this time, as the friend of Israel, much like ancient King Cyrus did. I fear, in the near future, that the next administration will speak like a dragon and impose religious laws enforcing the worship of the first beast, Papal Rome and attempt to destroy Israel.

Luke warm “Christians” in America that represent part of the apostate church system will reject God’s law, and His power will be withdrawn from the churches and His protection from the nation. Society will become increasingly evil and violent, and at the same time the judgments of God will descend on the United States and on the world. Instead of embracing repentance and inward heart change, the church of Laodecia in America will demand that the government enforce religious laws to “bring this nation back to God.” or at least the deceived idea of what “returning to God” is even about. There will be some type of religious edict that will force all who worship the “beast” of Papal Rome to take a mark of loyalty, either in their right hand or their forehead.

6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:6-9)

The apostasy that will be evident in the fallen from grace, USA will deceive the world into making “an image of the first beast” through the use of “great wonders” and “miracles.” In Revelation 19:20 this beast is called “the false prophet,” and in Revelation 16:13, 14 he is said to work these miracles through “the spirits of devils.”

13 “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”(Revelation 16:13-14)

 Matthew 14:23-27 indicates that false Christ will add such strength to those deceptions as to make them very nearly overpowering;

8 “”And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:8-12)

 2^nd Corinthians 11:14 adds that Satan himself is capable of masquerading as “an angel of light.”

16 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Revelation 13:16-18)

Now the identity of the coming Anti-Christ has not been revealed. But where has the coming RFID chip that is placed in the right hand, or the vaccine with its tattoo and mark in either the hand, or later even in the forehead? It is conjecture, even on my part to name the man, as I believe we will never know for sure, as the church, the True Church of the Living God, will not be on earth when he is revealed, but let me share something with you that many of you may or may not know that gives “hint” of who the man is.

The mark of the coming Beast power and its dictator, the Anti-Christ, will require a mark as mentioned on each person's body, either in the forehead and in their right hand. It's not so much as a economic sign, as it is sure that, for without it, you can't participate in the economy, whatever form it is in that sad time called the Tribulation. But what it is more importantly, its a sign of worship, of allegiance to the supreme ruler of your lives. The man will reveal himself by confirming a covenant with Israel that will start the Tribulation and at the mid-point of the Tribulation, this Satan's son will make desolate the temple in Jerusalem or the abomination that causeth desolation, and the nation of Israel will know that the treaty they signed with him 3.5 years ago, was a pact with the devil.

But the mark of YHWH, a mark of worship...God’s seal is His name, character and law written in His people’s hearts and minds and is seen in His laws which are found in your Bible. Those laws, and the sacrifice of His only Son, identifies who our God is, and who created each of us. Those who resist the mark of the beast are those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” and will not bow the knee or worship at the first church of the Anti-Christ, or the church of Satan.

But what is the significance of the number 666? I believe we know that the beast, whose number this is, may symbolize the Roman Papacy, and that it’s “the number of a man.” One of the pope’s titles is said to be Vicarius Filii Dei, “Vicar of the Son of God.” In Latin, the language of Catholicism, some of the letters double as numbers, and the numerical value of Vicarius Filii Dei adds up to 666, and a great many Bible scholars believe that this is how 666 is to be interpreted.

Am I saying the Pope is the Anti-Christ? He very well may be and he may not. As I said, we won't know for sure. But believe you me, the RCC will be at the table of power in the last days and she will reclaim her position of power to even a greater degree than what she had in the Middle Ages of her 1260 years of ruling over mankind. Problem for her is, it will be a small, temporary rule that will find her either destroyed by the Anti-Christ if she be only the False Prophet, or be destroyed by Jesus Christ, our Living God when He comes to set up His reign and rule for a 1000 years.

16, “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

17, For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:16-18)

These verses would identify the False Prophet along with its Harlot Church as being destroyed by the Anti-Christ. But what if the Pope is the AC himself?

He will destroy all religions, including the Roman Catholic Church in favor of worship of himself. Remember what Paul wrote in 2^nd Thessalonians?

4 “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:4)

IF THE POPE is the AC, then he will destroy all religions in favor of worship of himself, as Satan desires worship, as he has entered the man.

“ For you have said in your heart: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14)

CONCLUSION AND FINAL THOUGHTS

So there you have it, my reader. My hypothesis of what may happen in the last days coming very soon. I pray those found in Jesus Christ will not witness one iota of the coming carnage that will transpire on this earth when the lawless one is revealed. I am believing that the Roman Catholic Pope will either be the false prophet promoting a false religion to worship of the RCC with the USA as the state army to enforce his will. OR be the Anti-Christ himself and will destroy the Roman church in favor of worship of himself. And this man will be destroyed by Jesus Christ, our King and Savior, at His coming to rule and reign for a 1000 years by the brightness of His coming.

8 “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:8-10)

It could be highly possible will will see an unholy “trinity” of the Pope in Rome, the leader of the USA at that time, and Satan entering both.

The analogy of the coming One World Church with the RCC as receiving all worship towards her, and the USA as its enforcer, will be on the scale of when Charlemagne was enforcer of Papal Rome in the Middle Ages. It will be as it was then. To have this even take place, one other event must happen first.

6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:6-10)

Understand, my reader, this could happen at any given moment. As I've mentioned in the past, I will be acutely aware of that call and as I was listening for a trumpet this last Feast of Trumpets that did not happen YET, or it may be the next fall, or the next, as that is the Feast of Trumpets which is the next chronological order of the Feast of God that He has fulfilled to the letter in the past...I have covered this extensively in the past, so if you missed it, then it's on my blog for the interested reader.

As you should know, if you read any of my past messages, the personal pronoun in the verses directly above points to a only ONE power that has the ability to withhold evil in this world, and that is God's Holy Spirit. And since God told us He would never leave us or forsake us, when God's Holy Spirit is removed, so shall His church and all who dwell in Her....in an instant.

51 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1^st Corinthians 15:51-55)

Time is fast running out for those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to the “ark of safety” when the Tribulation comes upon the earth. As many can see, the USA is in the biggest upheaval that will either bring her down, or make her the Superpower that enforces the worship of the Anti-Christ and his image. Those who miss receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior, will be thrust headlong into a time that words cannot justify the horror that will be experienced by those who miss the greatest event this side of Jesus resurrection. Some call is the “Rapture'...called harpazo in the Epistles of Paul, and identified as a snatching away, by force of those who are taken. It will happen in a flash. Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell upon the earth during that time, as they will see tribulation so great that no flesh would be saved, as Jesus told us plainly:

21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

It will be that that much destruction and carnage of all life on this planet. Don't make that mistake and think you have all the time in the world. Your time could run out in the next few seconds.

16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17, God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

And as it is written, if you desire to be with Jesus Christ, the above verses and the ones below will lead you to a prayer of repentance.

8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

Receive Jesus our Lord, today and be filled with God's Holy Spirit and a guarantee you will not see what I have just described...

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying you make that decision for Jesus Christ right now... if you need prayer, counseling, or just a friendly, listening ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, .So come Lord Jesus..God bless you all.

TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET